Question:
I worry that my pouch will stretch big enough to start gaining weight.

Is this possible? I have the lower part of my stomach separated from my pouch. How big can it get? If I overeat, I vomit. If I eat something and don't chew it good, after a period of time, I vomit too. Usually then, I vomit the rest of the days food. It's wierd. It's like something swells in there, and then nothing stays down. I know I have to be careful when chewing, but sometimes it just slides down! Help! Thanks,    — Lori D. (posted on October 13, 1999)

October 13, 1999
Hi,my name is Rochelle and I had my Gastric Bypass in May of 1994. You have to be very careful in how you chew you food and how fast that you eat. Even 5 years post-op I still get full very fast, I can eat more food than I did when I first had the surgery, but I still have to eat like 6 small meals a day. One thing to remember,if you continually put enough food in your stomach to stretch it, it will stretch, but with the type of surgery that you and I have, were the stomach is stapled and seperated we have a better success rate. I have kept my weight off for the last 5 years and I know that you can do the same, take your time and chew your food, you have to teach yourself how to eat all over again. You can not go back to your old eating habits. You have to sit down and take your time and eat, no more eating on the run or eating in front of the TV, take your time and enjoy your meal and you will see a big difference. Hopefully this will help some. Rochelle
   — Rochelle S.

October 13, 1999
It is possible to stretch the pouch, but not very likely with a RNY without a restrictive band. Without knowing more about the exact surgery you had, it is impossible to say more. Chew the food well and eat slowly to avoid problems. If you think you vomit too much without cause, ask your surgeon for an endoscopy or and upper gi study (an type of xray) Good Luck
   — Bruce B.